A panic attack is a sudden burst of intense fear that triggers severe physical symptoms. These symptoms include a racing heart, sweating, shaking, dizziness, shortness of breath, and nausea, which can cause discomfort. When experiencing these symptoms, people, including learners, often think something is terribly wrong. They may believe they are dying, going crazy, or losing control.
What is typical?
Even though our bodies have a natural alarm system that goes off when something is wrong to prepare us for emergencies, panic attacks are not typical. Usually, when learners have panic attacks, their alarm goes off without a real threat or problem.
Panic attacks can be triggered by certain situations, but often they happen out of the blue. Many learners describe them as feeling like the room is closing in on them, they cannot breathe, or they are about to die.
The symptoms of a panic attack can include:
- Feelings of imminent danger
- The need to escape
- Rapid heartbeat
- Sweating
- Trembling
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling of choking
- Chest pain
- Dizziness
- Feeling that things are unreal
- Fear of losing control
- Fear of dying
- Tingling sensations
- Chills or hot flushes
Most learners who experience one panic attack do not have more. However, some may worry so much about having another attack that they avoid places or activities where they might feel unsafe. This worry can increase the chances of having more attacks. It’s important for educators to understand that panic attacks, while uncommon, can occur and are very frightening for students.
When should I be concerned?
Learners who have panic attacks and then fear having more often become very scared of the physical feelings, like a fast heartbeat, sweating, or dizziness, even when they are not having an attack. This fear can make them pay extra attention to these feelings and think they are signs of another attack coming. This worry leads to more anxiety, making them more likely to have more attacks, creating a cycle.
Panic attacks show that a learner is struggling and needs attention and support, even if they only happen once or many times. Early help can stop the cycle from getting stronger.
Signs of concern surrounding panic attacks may include:
- Having experienced a panic attack
- Experiencing sudden physical symptoms
- Feeling a loss of control during a panic attack
- Fearing fainting or dying during an attack
- Feeling that things are not real during an attack
- Worrying about having another attack
- Wanting to leave places for fear of an attack
- Avoiding places or activities for fear of an attack
- Not wanting to be alone for fear of an attack.
What can I do to help?
- Help the learner to take slow and deep breaths: Encourage learners to control their breathing by guiding them to take slow, deep breaths while speaking calmly and reassuringly.
- Remain calm: Your calmness can help the learners to feel more secure.
- Provide a safe space. Offer a quiet and comfortable space for the learner to calm down.
- Encourage grounding techniques: Help the learner focus on their surroundings by asking them to describe what they see, hear, feel, smell and taste. This helps with grounding learners in the present moment by engaging them with their five senses.
- Promote relaxation: Guide learners through relaxation exercises or stretches to relieve muscle tension.
- Communicate with caregivers and support staff: Inform caregivers about the panic attack and consult with the school nurse or counsellor for additional support and resources.
- Create a plan: Work with the learner, caregivers, and school staff to develop a plan for managing future panic attacks at school.
Where to find more information
For detailed information on mental health conditions, visit our guides for health professionals.